SYMPHONY X — The Odyssey (review)

Album · 2002 · Progressive Metal

4/5 · 2017-09-03
martindavey87

With 'V: The New Mythology Suite' being a huge hit with fans and praised as one of the bands finest releases, it only stands to reason that they'd further build upon the orchestral elements they'd implemented with that album. And oh boy, does it work, or what?!

Building upon what they'd started with their previous release, 'The Odyssey' continues to see the band become heavier and heavier, with more focus on brutal guitar riffs and vocalist Russell Allen stepping further away from the high-pitched wailing he'd been accustomed to with earlier albums.

Essentially split into two parts, the first seven songs are all absolute bangers! Brimming with amazing guitar riffs, mind-blowing solos, intense vocals and all-round top performances from everyone. Tracks like 'Inferno', 'Wicked' and 'Awakenings' are head-banging anthems, while 'The Accolade II' is an epic follow-up to its epic predecessor.

Then there's the "second half". The main event. The 24-minute title track, which is arguably one of the bands greatest compositions. Taking the symphonic elements of their previous release, the band really crank it up a level to unleash a song that takes you right into the action with Greek hero Odysseus as he sets on his ten-year journey home to Ithaca. It features some of the most insane musicianship imaginable, with some jaw-dropping interplay between the band members, as well as some of the most emotional and sincere vocals I've ever heard.

And I know that right now you're thinking how cheesy this all sounds, right? Well, cheese is good! Everyone likes cheese! And so will you!

In summary, 'The Odyssey' is a four-star album with five-star songs... and five-star songs is an understatement! Worth the price for the title track alone, get it now and go on the greatest adventure of your life!

more than 2 years ago
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lopolik wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I also don't get it man, if all the songs are 5-star songs, and even that is an understatament, why did you give this album only 4 stars? Come on, it's one of their best albums, definitely worth 5-stars.

TheHeavyMetalCat wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I suppose I was thrown off by 'the first seven songs are all absolute bangers! Brimming with amazing guitar riffs, mind-blowing solos, intense vocals and all-round top performances from everyone.'

martindavey87 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Haha oh yeah! In the third paragraph I named the songs I consider the highlights... the others are all brilliant, but, I dunno, I guess just not quite enough for me to consider them worthy of a five-star album. Ya'mean? ^_^

TheHeavyMetalCat wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I don't get it. You don't say a single bad thing about this album in the whole review, then at the last minute you knock a whole star off your rating in the same sentence as saying 'five-stars songs... and five-star songs is an understatement!'